Germany began to consider designing heavy cruisers as early as the beginning of the 1930s, despite being forbidden to construct such vessels by the Treaty of Versailles. However, it was necessary to keep abreast of foreign developments, as it was almost certain that in any future war with the most likely antagonists, France and Great Britain, German warships would inevitably encounter such ships. Existing light cruisers available to the German Navy were far outclassed, so, in February 1934, there was a call for sketch designs based mainly on three requirements; a match for Algerie, faster than Dunkerque, and a radius of action suitable for Atlantic employment. Initially, the main armament was a choice between eight 20.3cm (8in) or twelve 15cm (6in), but Admiral Raeder soon opted for the heavier calibre. This in turn forced a reconsideration of the desired design parameters, as the 8in armament needed an increase in dimensions. A compromise calibre of 19cm (7.48in) was not acceptable, so the design had to be enlarged progressively. The choice for the main propulsion was not easy either, given Germany's expertise in the field of diesels and the development of high-pressure steam boiler systems. Both were given consideration, as was turbo-electric machinery. By the summer of 1934 the main armament and machinery had been decided, high-pressure steam turbines being selected for the latter. At this time the weight distributions showed 2,140 tons for protection and 1,980 tons for machinery in a displacement of 10,700 tons. The vertical armour was 85mm (3.34in). Further conferences showed design to be incapable of meeting all of the demands put upon it while remaining within the Treaty displacement, so the protective scheme was reduced. Germany was still not in a position to build a 'Heavy Cruiser' legally, but work continued in secret, an order for the two leading ships, Admiral Hipper and Blucher, being placed as eary as 30 October 1934. The situation was resolved by Hitler's abrogation of the Treaty of Versailles on 16 March 1935.

Given Germany's somewhat cavalier attitude the limitations of the Washington Treaty, to which she was not a signatory, the on-paper fighting strength of these ships was considerably in excess of that of their contemporaries.

A third ship, Prinz Eugen, was ordered on 16 November 1935, but she differed in many details from the first two. Two more ships, known initially as Kreuzer K & L, were eventually added to programme, but they had a more tortuous development path, having originally been planned as Class B ships armed with twelve 15cm (6in) guns in triple turrets. Political pressures, treaty considerations and international bargaining, however, led to their eventual construction as Class A ships on the grounds that the USSR had laid down the Kirov class. Both ships were ordered on 18 July 1936 and launched as Lutzow and Seydlitz respectively. They were to be of the same appearance as Prinz Eugen.

In addition to the now standard main armament of eight 8in guns, a heavy AA battery of twelve 10.5cm (4.1in) in stabilised twin mountings with a sophisticated stabilised HA fire control system was also carried. The last two ships were to ship their 10.5cm guns in the LC/37 twin mounting. The light AA outfit was heavier than foreign designs, but the gun itself, the 3.7cm SK C/30, was only semi-automatic. Twelve torpedo tubes, with ten reloads (twelve in the last three ships), and an aircraft installation comprising a catapult and three floatplanes, rounded off the armament. Admiral Hipper and Blucher had single hangars, while the others had double hangars with the catapult placed differently.

As finalised, the protective scheme comprised a side belt of 70 to 80mm and an armoured deck of between 20mm and 30mm, with small areas of 40mm. In addition there was an armoured upper deck of 12 to 30mm. Barbette armour was 80mm.

On paper these ships were fast and powerful, but the reality was a little different, the adoption of the high-pressure steam system resulting in fragile and uneconomic machinery. Prinz Eugen was better than Admiral Hipper in this respect, while Blucher did not survive long enough to show her performance. The last two were never completed.

Hipper as completed - straight stem, no funnel cap, open bridge and no radar.

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good detail in this early shot taken from the bridge of Hipper - note the catapult and the rangefinders.

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613

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Hipper

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303

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Hipper

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343

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Hipper

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1,090

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moody photo of Admiral Hipper

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Hipper on the left, taken from Tirpitz, as the squadron sorties from its Norwegian anchorage escorted by two destroyers.

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639

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Prinz Eugen

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Prinz Eugen

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Service

Admiral Hipper struck allied convoys to Scandanavia in February 1940, followed by the invasion of Norway in April. She sunk the destroyer Glowworm, but received some damage. June 1940 with Scharnhorst and Gneisenau she sunk a troopship, oiler and trawler. December 1940 she spent in the Atlantic sinking one ship, and encountered Berwick which she hit 4 times. A further cruise in February 1941 sank 7 ships. In December 1941 she attacked Arctic convoy JW51B along with the battleship Lutzow, but was badly damaged by Sheffield and Jamaica and was never fully operational again. Badly damaged by bombs at Kiel, and scuttled.

Blucher was damaged by gunfire and sunk by shore based torpedoes on 9 April 1940 during the invasion of Norway.

Blucher, 9 April 1940

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Prinz Eugen hit Prince of Wales during the Bismarck sortie, which she had to abandon because of machinery problems. Bombed in Brest July 1941. Returned through the Channel February 1942, but torpedoed and badly damaged by Trident 23 February while transferring to Norway. Bombarded shore positions and surrendered at Copenhagen May 1945. Expended in atomic bomb trials.

Lutzow was sold to Russia. Seydlitz was converted to a carrier when nearly complete, but little work was done and she was eventually captured by the Russians.

Prinz Eugen rolling during the Channel dash

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Prinz Eugen led by Scharnhorst and Gneisenau also during the Channel dash

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563

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the bridge of Prinz Eugen

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Prinz Eugen in 'Baltic' camouflage, prior to the Bismarck sortie

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Prinz Eugen in Gotenhafen late in the war with dark grey paint.

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470

good detail of the bridge of Prinz Eugen.

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432

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Prinz Eugen.

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413

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the forward turrets of Prinz Eugen - red paint is a distinguishing mark for the Luftwaffe

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1,878

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Devonshire and Prinz Eugen parting company off Wilhelmshaven May 1945 after escorting her and Nurnberg from Copenhagen for de-ammunitioning.

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a sad end to a fine ship - Prinz Eugen in position for the 1946 atomic test